Regional
Long Range Transportation PlanThe
2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Iowa Northland Regional
Transportation Authority (RTA) was adopted on December 17, 2015. The
RTA consists of Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, and
Grundy Counties, excluding the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area.
The purpose of the LRTP is to document the present state of transportation
infrastructure in the region across all modes, and to chart a course
for the maintenance and improvement of each mode based on anticipated
needs and revenues.

A
public input survey, which consisted of 12 transportation questions
and seven demographic questions, was completed in 2012 as part of the
LRTP development. The report below contains charts and tables showing
the 194 survey results, as well as all comments submitted as part of
the survey. 2012 RTA Public
Input Survey

MPO
Long Range Transportation Plan
The
2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Black Hawk County Metropolitan Area (MPO) was adopted on November 8, 2018. The purpose of the LRTP is to document the present state of transportation infrastructure and to chart a course for the maintenance and improvement of each mode based on anticipated needs and revenues. The MPO includes the cities of Cedar Falls, Elk Run Heights, Evansdale, Gilbertville, Hudson, Raymond, Waterloo and parts of unincorporated Black Hawk County.
Full DocumentNortheast
Industrial Access Planning Study UnderwayINRCOG
hired AECOM out of Waterloo on behalf of the Black Hawk County Metropolitan
Area Transportation Policy Board (MPO) to conduct the Northeast Industrial
Access Planning Study. The purpose of the Study is to provide recommendations
to address identified existing and future mobility issues related to
the City of Waterloo's northeast industrial area. More information regarding this study can be found at
www.neindustrialaccess.com.

FY 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement ProgramsTransportation projects proposed to receive federal aid in the next four fiscal years are included in the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) for the MPO and RTA. The FY 2019-2022 TIPs were approved on July 12 and July 19, 2018. The full documents are available for viewing and downloading using the links below.

Safe
Routes to School StudyIn 2008,
the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) was awarded
a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The purpose of the grant was to facilitate a study of adequacies and
deficiencies related to walking and bicycling to school for all elementary
and middle/junior high schools in the metropolitan area. INRCOG hired
a local consulting firm, AECOM, to conduct the study. Hellman also participated
as a subconsultant for AECOM.

The study reviewed conditions around all K-8 schools in the Cedar Falls,
Hudson, and Waterloo school districts, as well as parochial schools
in the area. Walking and bicycling conditions were evaluated, as well
as issues such as drop-off/pick-up congestion and parking lot configurations.
Where appropriate, recommendations for infrastructure projects were
made, and cost estimates were given.

A separate portion of the study involved an education and encouragement
component aimed at working with three target schools to implement strategies
to increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school.
The report includes a case study from Kingsley Elementary, where the
PTO developed a walking school bus program.

The desired outcome of the study is to utilize it to make infrastructure
improvements that encourage children to safely walk and bicycle to school,
as well as to provide information to schools to assist in efforts to
encourage safe walking and bicycling practices.

The complete Safe Routes to School Report can be viewed here.
An Executive Summary of the report can be viewed here.
Questions or comments about the report should be directed to Kyle
Durant.

A wide
range of transportation planning services at both the metropolitan and
regional level is provided by INRCOG. At the metropolitan level, INRCOG
staffs and provides direction to the Black Hawk Metropolitan Area Transportation
Policy Board (MPO). The MPO consists of elected officials from the six
contiguous communities in the metro area as well as from Black Hawk
County and representatives of the Waterloo Regional Airport and Metropolitan
Transit Authority. In addition, staffing for the Iowa Northland Regional
Transportation Authority (INRTA) is provided. The Policy Board for the
INRTA consists of elected officials from each county Board of Supervisors
within INRCOG's region as well as elected officials from two communities
within each county.

To
ensure that decisions relating to implementation of transportation improvements
are based on current information and a sound planning process, we have
established a solid working relationship with local, state and federal
representatives. Though the MPO and INRTA have transportation related
issues that are specific to their respective area, both organizations
understand the importance of working together to improve the transportation
opportunities of the region.

Long
Range Planning
Incorporating relevant modes of transportation, including highway, rail,
air, non-motorized and freight, the long range planning process identifies
transportation improvements that will ensure the viability of the area
for the next 20 years. This information, as related to the Black Hawk
County metropolitan area, is included in the 2040
Long Range Transportation Plan for the MPO.

Non-Motorized
Planning
Over the past two decades, INRCOG has played an integral role in the development
of a multi-use recreational trail system in the metro area that is second
to none in the state. A copy of the Cedar Valley Trail and Outdoor Recreation
Guide, developed by INRCOG, is available on our recreation
page.

In
addition, INRCOG continues to work on non-motorized accommodations at
the regional level. Non-motorized planning services include off-road and
on-road planning, mapping, grant writing, trail use monitoring and technical
assistance relating to project development and implementation.